The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-06-02
Washington Letter.
wAsH1NeroN. DC. Ap,il q,

WASHINGTON, ID. u, April u, 1887.
Since last wrote you the much dis
cussed National Drill has been formal
ly opened and has passed through va
rious vicissitudes, already. 1t has been
visited by terrific rain storms on sew
eral successive evenings, accompanied
by cyclones which forebore to perform
any more serious antics than the
smashing up Of the apparatus connect
ed with tho Pyorama, and carrying
away of tents and their contents from
the camp grounds, the unroofing of
the spectators grand stand, and many
others Of q similar character.
Despite all these discouragements
the Drill is still progressing in fair
ly creditable manner. Every morn
ing the Pyrorama and the soldiers and
the spectators come up smiling for the
program of the day, as if there was
nothing serious about cyclone, and
the spectacle proceeds. The city is SO
full of soldiers and strangers that one
Is forcibly reminded of the Inaugura-
ton times. Bands play, bugles call,
the shrill fife is heard, and drums beat
all day long. The livery men are do
ing rushing business and making
streets as likely as possible. Carriages,
landaus, herdics, cabs. tandem teams,
jaggers, buggies, in short, every avail
able conveyance is in demand by the
visiting sight sssrs. The bicycle and
tricycle. depots, too, are bereft of ma
chimes, many of the soldier boys TAX
ing advantage of this method Of loco
motion while sojourning in the wheel
mems paradise They are perfectly
enthused with it's miles and miles of
broad asphalt pavement, where never
30 much a. q gravel comes in contact
with their wheels.
The most brilliant day of the Drill
was Wednesday, when the troops in
full dress parade were reviewed by the
President. The people turned out Ell
masse and literally Overfiowed the
streets along the line of march. Bus
iness was temporarily suspended along
the route and the business people
joined the throng of sightseers. The
President occupied flag draped stand
erected on Pennsylvania avenue in
front of the White House, and he was
surrounded by the Governors of sever
al States with their stats, some of the
Cabinet officers, and q few other prom
inent people. General Sheridan was
there, also Mrs. Cleveland, who was,
as usual. the cynosure of all eyes.
Gen. Anger, the Commandanto of the
camp, rode at the head of the process
sion, surrounded by his staff, all
mounted, and received marked recog.
milton from the stand. The Stuart
| Horse Guards, of Richmond, came
next, at the head of the Virginia brig
ade. Governor Lee was proud of the
showing made by his State, and from
his place on the stand spplauded the
soldiers heartily. Most of the uni
forms were resplendent, while the
CommaRdant wore q suit of dark blue
with black cord trimmings and a plain
white helmet. Not soldier in the
parade had q uniform half go plain
and simple as his.
While the marching was for the
most part good, there invariably ap
peared q waver in the line just wher
the soldiers passed the Presidential
stand and would have liked to show
to the best advantage. This was at
| tributed to the desire of the men to ge,
q good look ut the President aud his
pretty wife about whom they haG
heard SO much. Many side glance
was cast up into the grand stand al
the expense of good form. 1t became
necessary to change the style of march
and several halts we're made in conse
quence. Each time the order, "parade
rest" was given, the soldiers in the
vicinity of the stand turned about and
kept their eyes fixed upon the Presi
Dental party until they were ordered
to march again.
The services of the camp hospital
have been in constant demand since
the beginning of the Encampment
Every day dozens of the lads-far from
home-need treatment, prescriptions
and nursing of some kind. Thus fal
most of the patients who have been
brought in have been overcome by
heat when on parade. These amateur
warriors are unused to military hard
ships, and guard duty at night in the
rain is an experience new to most Of
them.
| The hospital is in charge of the Red
Cross Society, and Miss Clara Barton
its president, is the presiding genius
of the place. Just as the Command
ants flag was raised at headquarters
on opening day. flags of various Eu
ropean nations we're hoisted at the
same time by the Red Cross people, in
addition to their especial flag. These
flags were presented to Miss Barton al
different times by various European
sovereigns, in recognition of services
on the battle field and in camp, in
caring for the sick and wounded. She
is proud of her collection of national
flags. which she regards as the finest
in this country, and which being di
rect gifts from the severeigns, are Of
the most exquisite texture and finish
There are SO many of them that they
cannot all be fioatsd at once, so every
day q new set is shown.
A sl,35O.OOO Blaze.
NEW YORK, May 27.-Fire broke
out at 1:30 q. m. in the stables of the
| Belt Line Street Railroad Company
at Tenth Avenue, between Fifty thiiC
and Fifty-fOurth streets and entirely
destroyed them. Sixteen hundred
horses were burned to death land near.
ly all the cars in the building were
POnsunad A III tho fopon.opt honsas